Sigma sd Quattro vs Olympus E-1

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1
      64
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      53
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sigma sd Quattro and the Olympus E-1, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sigma sd Quattro was introduced in February 2016 and Olympus E-1 was introduced in November 2003. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sigma sd Quattro Highlights

      • 29 MP APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 1,620k dot Fixed Screen
      • 2,360k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 3.6 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Olympus E-1 Highlights

      • 5 MP Micro Four Thirds CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 1.8" 134k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sigma sd Quattro
      4. Advantage of Olympus E-1
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sigma sd Quattro and Olympus E-1.

      PROS

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Environmental Sealing

      CONS

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.6 fps
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 5 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      •   Sensor Resolution - 29 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 625 g (1.38 lb / 22.05 oz)
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)

      Advantage of Sigma sd Quattro

      Sigma sd Quattro
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma sd Quattro over Olympus E-1.

      Sigma sd Quattro vs Olympus E-1
      Larger Sensor APS-C vs Micro Four Thirds
      Higher Sensor Resolution 29 Megapixel vs 5 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
      Max Image Resolution 5424 x 3616 vs 2560 x 1920
      More Focus Points 9 vs 3
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 1.8"
      Higher Resolution Screen 1,620k dot vs 134k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.73x vs 0.48x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.6 fps vs 3.0 fps
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      HDMI Output Mini vs
      Lighter 625 g (1.38 lb / 22.05 oz) vs 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)
      Orientation Sensor vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sigma sd Quattro.

      Panasonic GH5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Olympus OM-D E-M1 II
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Panasonic GH1
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-3
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Canon 7D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Olympus SZ-10
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Samsung Galaxy NX
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.3 MP

      Panasonic G3
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Olympus E-620
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Pentax K-7
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Sony DSLR-A300
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Panasonic L10
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Advantage of Olympus E-1

      Olympus E-1
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-1 over Sigma sd Quattro.

      Sigma sd Quattro vs Olympus E-1
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 30 sec vs 60 sec

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-1.

      Olympus E-5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-30
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-3
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-520
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-300
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      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-450
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-600
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-500
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      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-330
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      Micro Four Thirds

      7.94 MP

      Olympus E-620
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-400
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Sony FX3
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      Full Frame

      10.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sigma sd Quattro Olympus E-1
        Environmental Sealing
      WEAKNESSES Sigma sd Quattro Olympus E-1
        No Video Capture
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points93
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.6 fps3.0 fps
        No Built-in Microphone
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sigma sd Quattro has a 3.0" screen with 1,620k dot resolution and Olympus E-1 has a 1.8" screen with 134k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Sigma sd Quattro has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dot resolution and Olympus E-1 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. They both have 100% coverage.

      Sensor

      Sigma sd Quattro features a 29 megapixel APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400. Olympus E-1 features a 5 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CCD sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 169 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Sigma sd Quattro is equipped with Dual TRUE III processor and can take pictures up to 5424 x 3616 resolution. Olympus E-1 can take pictures up to 2560 x 1920 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Sigma sd Quattro has Sigma SA lens mount and Olympus E-1 has Four Thirds lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor in Sigma sd Quattro its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Olympus E-1 its crop factor is equal to 2x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


      No Low-Pass Filter on Sigma sd Quattro

      There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Sigma sd Quattro. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Sigma sd Quattro it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Olympus E-1 nothing can be done. On Olympus E-1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sigma sd Quattro nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sigma sd Quattro comes with BP-61 battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Sigma sd Quattro has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Olympus E-1 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Sigma sd Quattro has Electronic shutter. Olympus E-1 has Type: Electronically controlled focal plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sigma sd Quattro, and up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus E-1. Sigma sd Quattro can shoot continuously up to 3.6 fps. Olympus E-1 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Sigma sd Quattro has 9 focusing points and Olympus E-1 has 3 focusing points. Sigma sd Quattro has detection range from -1 to +18 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Sigma sd Quattro ranges from 0 to +17 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Sigma sd Quattro and ±5 EV range on Olympus E-1. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sigma sd Quattro and and manual exposure adjustment on Olympus E-1.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Sigma sd Quattro. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Sigma sd Quattro body has dimensions of 147 x 95 x 91 mm (5.79 x 3.74 x 3.58") and Olympus E-1 body has dimensions of 141 x 104 x 81 mm (5.55 x 4.09 x 3.19"). Sigma sd Quattro weighs 625 g (1.38 lb / 22.05 oz) and Olympus E-1 weighs 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz).

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      147 mm

      95 mm

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      141 mm

      104 mm

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      95 mm

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      104 mm

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      91 mm

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      81 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sigma sd Quattro and Olympus E-1

      Sigma sd Quattro and Olympus E-1 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      79
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.6 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      48
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps

      Wildlife Photography

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.6 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      54
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      78
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Street Photography

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      80
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 625 g (1.38 lb / 22.05 oz)
      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      84
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 625 g (1.38 lb / 22.05 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sigma sd Quattro and Olympus E-1 and give them scores of 64 and 53 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      OVERALL
      64
      OVERALL
      53

      Sensor

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Sensor Resolution - 29 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 5 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.6 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      POOR
      51
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      71
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,620k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,360k dot
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot

      Connectivity

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sigma sd Quattro

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      79
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 625 g (1.38 lb / 22.05 oz)
      GOOD
      78
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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